The Stockton-born Sunderland midfielder faces his former club at the Stadium Of Light, determined to make up for missing last season’s Tees-Wear FA Cup games.

“I was gutted to miss it because at the time the team was flying and my own performances were really good,” said Cattermole.

“We were training on a Friday and I was having a good session. Literally in the last minute of the session I pulled my hamstring. I knew straight away, but we gave it overnight. You still wonder whether you should play.

“It would have been a great occasion. My best mate in football, Matthew Bates, was going to captain Boro and I was going to captain Sunderland, so I was devastated to miss it.

“But when this draw was made, it cheered me up a lot. I’d love to see Middlesbrough back in the Premier League. I think they deserve to be.

“Me and Jonno (Adam Johnson) have talked about how much respect we’ve got for the club.

“It’s where our whole education came from in terms of football and that’s a massive part of it, making sure you do things right during the week to make sure you perform,” said Cattermole, pictured.

“We learned an awful lot at Boro. They’re a great club and gave us our chance. I’m from the area. I’ll always hold Boro close to my heart.

“I’ll always be asking after them. All my family were big Boro fans. You move around clubs, but I’ll always remember my time at Middlesbrough,” added the player who has just agreed a new four-year-deal at Sunderland.